ministrystaffingsearch.org BLOG

I believe that it is important that we are not only 'bystanders' but that we as leaders of the flock are (remain) important decision makers. Especially in the realm of spiritual truth.

I sometimes think that some pastors are just along for the ride. They see the pastorate as a fulfillment of their own personal desires (similar to a doctor who wants to find a cure for his/her own disease) , rather then a calling from their inner soul and the calling from God. Most pastors leave their congregations, because 'truth' becomes personal and over time it was spelled differently. Many pastors that left felt helpless and almost isolated . . . Some allowed themselves to go along for the ride, but gave up on directions, vision, etc. Let us all hear from you, why are you seeking new employment?
(As you leave your message on our Blog, you do not to reveal your name or even you email address. May this exercise show that we are not alone . . . that there are others who experience the very same.

    

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What is the right direction?

Last week our site ministrystaffingsearch.org received some very emotional emails from some of you and I would like to share their thoughts with all of you and then I would respectfully ask you to share your opinion about the issue with all of us.

Recently our site received a posting of a (gay) church that is seeking a gay pastor. This posting on our site prompted some of you to send me emails and to ask me in so many words: "How I could allow such posting?"

(Let me make clear that I do not read every profile/opening that is posted on our site . . . so I truly did not see this opening)

All of us have been confronted with this theological issue in our ministry. We have listened to all the biblical arguments, we have prayed, we have tried to align with God's will, etc. But for all of us the issue is never as close to the subject until we HAVE to confront the issue when it 'touches' our lives or our comfort zone.

I remember the story of a 'pastor' friend who's wife had left him. His wife left him and she filed for a divorce. Both were Southern Baptist . . . And you may know what was coming next: According to the biblical interpretation of Southern Baptists the congregation asked him to leave as a (senior) pastor, because he is was now a divorced man. He never found another calling from a congregation.

What has this to do with homosexual pastors? Well, how do we mark the line in the sand for the church and for this site? Is it for some of us that we should not post profiles of ministers that are women? Or should we not post churches that seek a minister that is a women? Is it for you that we should not post divorced pastors on our site? . . . Or should we ask that those who allow divorced pastors to apply take their opening down?

I would like to invite you to share your opinion as a pastor. I believe that it may be a very interesting exercise for all of us if we stretch our theological interpretation to a real life application like this situation.
Be faithful in your comments, but I beg you with all my heart do NOT be hurtful to others.

I am looking forward reading your opinion on this Blog.

    

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